Minnesota Vikings: All-time head coach power rankings
2. Dennis Green
Regular Season Record: 97-62 (.610) | Playoff Record: 4-8 | Four Division Titles
“There’s a new sheriff in town!” Newly crowned Coach Green announced after taking over the team from Jerry Burns. Dennis Green made history by becoming the first African-American coach for the Vikings. The Vikings went 11-5 as they won the Division in his first season, but it would be two Conference Championship games later on that would define his career.
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The Vikings went 15-1 in 1998 with rookie sensation Randy Moss and a juggernaut offense tearing up the league. At the time they were the highest scoring team in league history and looked unstoppable going into the playoffs. Although the infamous one-and-only missed kick by Gary Anderson sealed their fate; it was Coach Green’s controversial decision to take a knee and play for overtime that still has many Vikings fans enraged to this day.
Two years later the Dennis Green led Vikings were back in the NFC Championship game. This one will forever be known as 41 doughnut in Minnesota as the Giants embarrassed the Vikings 41-0. It was one of the most lopsided Conference Championship games in NFL history.
The following year, with a record of 5-10 and one game left in the season, Coach Green was fired. It would be the only time he was under .500 as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.
1. Bud Grant
Regular Season Record:156-95-5 (.622) | Playoff Record: 10-12 | 11 Division Titles | Four Conf. Championships
When one thinks of football excellence in Minnesota, Bud Grant’s name comes up immediately. After taking over for Norm Van Brocklin, coach Grant led the Vikings to their first of Four Super Bowls with Joe Kapp at quarterback. A couple of years later Grant would lead the charge to bring Fran Tarkenton back to the Vikings as well as build one of the most feared defenses of all time – The Purple People Eaters.
For more of my take on Bud Grant, check out why the Vikings need to win one for Bud Grant.
Next: Ranking the Vikings best defensive lineman of all-time
That wraps up my Minnesota Vikings head coach rankings. Do you agree or disagree with this list? Who is your favorite from the list? And which coaches do you feel are underrated or overrated? Let me know what you think in the comments below.